Bath appliance



1956 MARCHESE 2,764,771

BATH APPLIANCE Filed Dec. 19, 1955 INVENTOR. L unmzn MAR [II-IE5 B fITTUJPNEY United StatesPatent BATH APPLIANCE Lorenzo Marchese, Syracuse, N. Y., assignor to PhilipA. Marchesc, Syracuse, N. Y.

This invention relates to bath appliances, and more particularly to a sponge supporting strap adapted for washing and applying soap to a bathers back.

The invention is directed to a central support member for detachably holding a cellulosic sponge or the like, convenient straps to permit manipulation of the sponge over the bathers back, and means for supplying soap solution to the sponge in the immediate control of the bather. More particularly, the support member is provided with a fitting, and one of the straps is provided with a hand operated squeeze bulb adapted to be filled with soap solution, and a tubular connection to the fitting. Additionally, the support member is adapted to have a pad secured thereto, in overlying relation to the sponge.

The above and other novel features of the invention will appear more fully hereinafter from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is expressly understood that the drawings are employed for purposes of illustration only and are not designed as a definition of the limits of the invention, reference being bad for this purpose to the appended claims.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate like parts:

Figure 1 is a perspective view'of the bath appliance.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the bath appliance;

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 33 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 44 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is an enlarged sectional View of one end of the appliance; and

Figure 6 is an elevational view of a detachable pad or puff applicable to the bath appliance.

Referring more particularly to Figure 1, there is shown a central support member 10 having facing side channels 12 and 14 with inwardly extending flanges 16 and 18 to support a cellulosic or other sponge 20 of generally rectangular block form. The sponge is provided with side flanges 22 and 24 adapted to engage the channels 12 and 14, and the sponge block is adapted to he slid in place lengthwise of the support member. In order to stiffen the sponge to prevent its buckling when softened, as when wet, stays in the form of stiff strips 26, 28 and 30 are imbedded in the sponge, the stays extending transversely of the sponge, with their ends lodged in the fianges 22 and 24. Such stays, shown in Figures 2 and 3, prevent the sponge flanges from becoming dislodged from the support member channels, as might occur when the sponge is softened from wetting.

The support member is provided with transverse slots 32 and 34 at opposite ends to receive strap loops 36 and 38 of straps 4i) and 42. The strap loops are detachable from the member, the loops being secured by snap fasteners 44 and 46. The strap loops which may be of relatively stiff material provide end abutments preventing the sponge from sliding lengthwise within the mem- "Ice her, and when it is desired to remove or replace the sponge, the snap fastener of one of the strap loops is opened, and the strap removed from the member, permitting the sponge to be slid lengthwise of the member for removal or replacement. If desired, the sponge may be impregnated with soap.

Each of the straps will be of a convenient length and provided with hand loops 48 and 50 at their ends so as to be conveniently grasped by the bather.

The loop 50 has detachably mounted thereon a squeeze bulb 52, such squeeze bulb being of rubber or rubber like material, and cemented or otherwise secured to a support strip 54. The support strip is detachably supported upon the straps 42 by detachable fasteners 56, one member 58 of each fastener being afiixed to the strap, while the other 60 is affixed to the support strip. The squeeze bulb is provided with a hose, 62, such as surgical tubing, which extends along the strap 42 and to an angle fitting or elbow 64 mounted centrally in the member 10. The hose is held in place along the strap by U-clamps 66, the bent ends 67 of which are inserted in slots 68 in the strap 42.

The fitting 64 is rigidly secured to the member 10 by flanges 7i) and 72. The fitting may have its outlet internally threaded as at '74, and the sponge may be provided with a small aperture 76, or slit in alignment therewith. In Figure 6 there is'shown a detachable powder puff or pad, the pad 73 per se being attached to a support member 84) having a threaded stem 82. The stem is adapted to be projected through the aperture 76 and threaded into the internal threads 74 of the angle fitting 64. The stem is of such length, as to draw the support member 80 tight and in compressive relation to the sponge, when placed in position, so that the putt will be adequately supported. It will be seen that the stem when thus threaded in position closes off the fitting 64. The puff may take the form of a pad for applying cream, oil or medical preparations to the users back. Several detachablepads may be provided,'one for (1P7 plying powder, and the other for medical preparations and the like, it being appreciated that such pads may be quickly changed as desired.

If it be desired to dispense with the soap supply bulbs and tube, such tube may be readily detached from the fitting, and threaded through the clamps 66, and the bulb and support strip detached from the strap. The bulb may be replenished with liquid soap by removing the tube from the fitting and drawing a supply into the bulb, after which the tube is reconnected to the fitting.

The main support member 10 may be formed of sheet or molded plastic, and the stays may also be formed of stiff plastic. Such stays when inserted may be coated with waterproof adhesive so as to provide a bond be tween the stay and sponge material.

Although a single embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. As various changes in the construction and arrangement may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, reference will be had to the appended claims for a definition of the limits of the invention. 7

What is claimed is:

l. A back strap bathing appliance comprising a support member for a sponge having a generally rectangular body portion and facing channels along opposite side edges, a sponge having side flanges extending into and complemental to said channels, slots in said member extending transversely thereof adjacent the ends of said body portion, hand straps having loops passing through said slots, said loops forming abutments to engage said sponge and limit movement thereof in a direction parallel with said channel side edges, transversely extending stifiening members imbedded in the sponge, and extending from one flange to the other, an elbow fitting centrally disposed in an aperture in said body portion, a squeeze disposed at one end of one of said straps, a tubular conduit extending from said bulb to said fitting, said fitting having an internally threaded bore extending normal to the body portion, and said sponge having an aperture extending therethrough aligned with said bore, and a pad support member having a threaded stern projecting centrally from one side thereof selectively disposed in said threaded bore and extending through said sponge aperture, and a pad affixed to the other side of saidpad support member.

2 A back strap bathing appliance comprising a support member for a. sponge having a generally rectangular body portion and facing channels along opposite side edges, a. sponge having side flanges extending into and complemental to said channels,- slots in said member extending transversely thereof adjacent the ends of said body portion, hand straps having loops passing through said' slots, said loops forming abutments to. engage said sponge and limit movement thereof in a direction paral lel with said channel side edges, a fitting centrally disposed in an aperture in said body portion, a squeeze bulb disposed at one end of one of said straps, atubular conduit extending from said bulb to said fitting, said fitting having an internally threaded bore extending normal to the body portion, and said sponge having an aperture extending therethrough aligned with said bore, and a pad support member having a threaded stem projecting centrally from one side selectively disposed in said threaded bore and extending through said sponge aperture', said pad support member having a pad aflixed thereto.

3. A back strap bathing appliance comprising a support member for a sponge having a generally rectangular body portion and facing channels along opposite side edges, a sponge having side flanges extending into and complemental to said channels, slots in said member extending transversely thereof adjacent the ends of said body portion, hand straps having loops passing through said slots, said loops forming abutments to engage said spong'eand limit movement thereof in a direction parallel with said channel side edges, transversely extending stifl'ening members imbedded in the sponge, and extending from one flange to the other, an elbow fitting centrally disposed in an aperture in said body portion, a squeeze bulb disposed at one end of one of said straps, and a tubular conduit extending from said bulb to said fitting.

4. A back strap bathing appliance comprising a support member for a sponge having a generally rectangular body portion and-facing. channels along opposite side edges, a sponge having side flanges extending into and complemental to said channels, slots in said member extending transversely thereof adjacent the ends-of said body portion, hand straps having loops passing through said slots, said loops forming abutments to engage said sponge and limit movement thereof in a direction parallel with said channel side edges, a fitting centrally disposed in an aperture in said body portion, a squeeze bulb disposed at one end of one of said straps, and a tubular conduit extending from said bulb to said fitting.

5. A back strap bathing appliance comprising'a support member for a sponge having a generally rectangu-,

lar body portion and facing channels along opposite side edges, a sponge having side flanges extending into and complemental to said channels, slots in said member' extending transversely thereof adjacent the ends of said body portion, hand straps having loops passing through said slots, said loops forming abutments to engage said sponge and limit movement thereof in a direction parallel with said channel side edges, and transversely extending stiffening members imbedded in the sponge, and extending from one flange to the other.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,285,412 Caldwell June 9, 1942 2,305,982 Morando Dec. 22, 1942 2,333,436 Novick Nov. 2, 1943 2,577,872 Berndsen Dec. 11, 1951 2,691,787 Rosenwein Oct. 19, 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS 717,978 Great Britain Nov. 3, 1954 

